The death penalty dates back to when America first started colonizing.
In 1608, the first person in America was sentenced to death, from being hung due to spying for the Spanish government.
In Colonial Times, children and townspeople would gather by the thousands to watch someone be hung. They believe it serves as a good moral lesson. They believe that it was hoped that the guilty person would find God in his last days and be pardoned of God, acquitted in the last judgment.
In 1777, Thomas Jefferson tried changing the Constitution so that only murder and treason are punishable by the death penalty. His bill was defeated by one vote.
In 1974, the death penalty was changed so that only first degree murder, a premeditated or a murder committed at the same time as a felony (i.e rape, robbery, arson).
In the 1800s the northern states abolished the death penalty, while the southern states didn't.
In 1834, Pennsylvania and New York stopped public execution and kept it behind prison walls.
In 1838, Tennessee ends mandatory death sentence, meaning the jury can choose life in prison. Alabama also followed this suit.
In 1846, Michigan abolishes the death penalty for all crimes except treason, which they were the first state to do so.
In 1853, Wisconsin ends the death penalty for all crimes.
In 1868, the 14th Amendment is added to the Constitution. The accused now have due process in court.
In 1890, the most popular execution way was changed from hanging to the electric chair, which is thought to be more humane.
In 1924, the gas chamber becomes a popular execution method. It is seen more humane than hanging, and the electric chair. Lethal injection is the most humane method, and all executions today are done by it.
In 1967, lawyers begin to argue that the death penalty is unconstitutional, due to the amendment no cruel and unusual punishment.
In 1976, Woodson v. North Carolina court case said no mandatory death sentences.
In 1977, Coker v. Georgia court case didn't allow the death penalty for the rape of a 16 year old female, implying that murder should be the only reason for the death penalty.
In 1993, Pope John Paul II visits the United States and prays to put an end to the death penalty.
In 1999, the United Nation's Human Rights group supports a world wide suspension on executions.
In 2002, Atkins v. Virginia court case decides that the mentally retarded cannot be responsible for murders they committed. It is cruel to execute the mentally retarded.
In 2004, New York abolishes its death penalty because they found it unconstitutional.
What Methods of The Death Penalty Are/Were Used
The most popular and only way of execution today is lethal injection. Lethal injection is when the drug the patient to sleep and lethally inject chemicals to slowly stop the heart from beating. 35 states, the US military, and US government method of death penalty is lethal injection. The other 15 have other ways as secondary methods, if lethal injection is found unconstitutional.
Electrocution, 9 states have this as their secondary method.
Gas Chamber, 4 states have this as their secondary method.
Hanging, 2 states have this as their secondary method.
Firing Squad, 1 state have this as their secondary method.
What Methods of The Death Penalty Are/Were Used